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Sunny Rhymes 



BY 

MARGARET A. FASSITT 


PHILADELPHIA 

THE JOHN C. WINSTON COMPANY 
1922 



copyright 1922 BV 
MARGARfcT A. FaSSITT 


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SEP -5 1922 


©CI.A681625 

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MARGARET’S 
MOTHER SAYS 
THIS LITTLE BOOK 
BELONGS TO HER 


3 





Blow, winds, blow! 

Gay flowers grow! 
Blossom at the feet 
Of our children sweet. 

Blow, winds, blow! 
Children too must grow 
Give them happy days, 
Pleasant, loving ways. 
Blow, winds, blow! 


5 


CONTENTMENT 

Little brown squirrel, what do you see 
Up in the top of that walnut tree? 

“I see a dog, a pussy-cat, too, 

Both quite anxious to say, 'How-do-do'? 
Pussy would eat me, pup toss in air, 

But I say, 'Friends, Pm not coming there, 
You may fool some, you can't humbug me, 
Contented HI stay in my walnut tree.' ” 


6 


THE ONLY CHILD 


Some people think it's awful nice to be an only 
child, 

That they get all the sugar-plums, are always 
meek and mild, 

’Cause they have all the training that’s intended 
for, say, five, 

But I tell you it’s the meanest and hardest thing 
alive: 

You daren’t call your life your own, it’s always 
“ Don’t do that,” 

Unless you’re soft and quiet just like some old 
pussy-cat. 

There’s not a soul at home to slap and not a child 
to play 

And I’d rather be a dozen than one child, any day. 


7 


THE SCRUBBING SONG 


Don't you love to scrub the kitchen when Su- 
sanna is away? 

Some folks, I guess, call it working, but I call it 
best of play. 

It's more fun than blowing bubbles, and lots more 
than “Come-to-see"; 

I don't know of any one thing that is half such 
fun to me. 


Splashing out the soap and water, planning out a 
pretty scene; 

Islands, capes and little inlets, with a bay thrown 
in between. 

Mother calls, “Not too much playing, 'member 
this is your work-day." 

I just love to scrub the kitchen when Susanna is 
away. 


8 


THE BEAGLE 


Fma busy little, happy little, homely little dog, 
And my legs are just as crooked as can be; 

My people do not love me for my beauty, I am 
sure, 

But I think that they just love me 'cause it's 
me. 


I can find a “ Molly Cottontail" when rabbit days 
are here, 

For with my big ears I hear them chase about, 
And then my master pats me on my ugly head 
and says, 

"Well, old chap, you're the best rabbit dog 
that's out." 

So it's kind o' nice to think of when a thorn gets 
in your foot, 

And you're hoppin' about on it rather lame, 
That though you are some ugly, if you do the 
thing that's meant, 

Folks are pretty sure to like you just the same. 


9 


DOROTHY J. M. S. 


Oh, Miss Dorothy Jane Melissa Supplee 

Quite disgraced herself when she went out to tea; 

For she ate with her fingers; that made the folks 
stare. 

Her Mother pushed at her, but she did not care; 

She asked twice for chicken, for ice cream and 
cake, 

And said that was something her Mother won't 
make; 

She spoiled the fine tablecloth — they let that 
pass — 

But oh, crime of crimes, she then broke her cut 
glass; 

And Miss Dorothy Jane Melissa Supplee 

Got — what do you think? — when she came home 
from tea 


10 


THE WRIGGLER 

Well, I wriggle sometimes, and so they all say 
That Em not still one moment the whole livelong 
day; 

But how they can say it I really can't see, 

For when I'm asleep I'm as still as can be. 


11 


GLASSES 


Willy's wearin' glasses now, 

Mother's awful proud of him, 
Shows him off to company, 

Tries to keep him neat and trim. 
Won't let him do his old work, 
Carryin' wood and milkin' cow, 
'Fraid he might get mussed up some. 
Willy's wearin' glasses now. 


Willy's wearin' glasses now, 

Goes about with head in air, 

So he often comes to grief 
Stumblin' over stool or chair. 
Hardly sees us common folks, 
Walks around like this somehow, 
Hands in pockets, top-loft air. 
Willy's wearin' glasses now. 


12 


THE CITY CHILD 

I saw the queerest thing to-day — we were out of 
town — 

A man took up a handle and worked it up and 
down, 

And then he took a bucket and held it up 
there quick, 

And he got real live water right out of that old 
stick. 


13 


DESSERT 

When we have peach pudding I think that it is 
best 

And always hope they'll give me what's left over 
from the rest; 

And when we have mince pie I know that it is 
fine, 

So look most carefully to see if Sue's is any more 
than mine; 

But when it's lemon custard, gee, it's out of 
sight! 

I wish that I could eat it from morning until 
night. 


14 


THE QUEER HOUSE 

The house that lives across the way 
Did just the strangest thing to-day; 
Why, when I looked across to see 
It stood and winked its eye at me. 

I never saw a house before 
That did not have a single door; 

This one has lots of windows wide, 
With blinds that go from side to side: 
There was a wind, perhaps Twas shy, 
I looked, and it just winked its eye. 


15 


A MISUNDERSTANDING 


The old goose said, "Quack, quack, quack, 
quack" — 

The child began to cry. 

The kind old, nice old, merry old goose 
Said, "Quack, quack! My, oh my! 

I'll have to go and comfort that child." 

But he cried louder still, 

The closer she came the louder he cried, 

And that went on until 
Someone stood in the open door, 

Surprised her out of breath, 

Said, "Shoo, you bad old horrid goose, 

You'll scare that child to death." 


16 


MR. CROW 


There's an old, old, old, old, bad, old crow, 
And he says, “Caw, caw, caw, caw." 

He steals my Pop's little chicks sometimes 
And steals the corn when it's raw. 

So Pop put up a big scarecrow; 

He said, “Caw, that don't bother me." 

Pop said, “I'll get my shooting gun 
And then we'll see what we see." 

He hid there with his shooting gun, 

Mr. Crow picked up some corn. 

“Bang, bang!" Mr. Crow turned with a grin 
“Caw, I'll be back in the mom." 


17 


THE HOPTOAD 

A hoptoad came as hoptoads will 
As I was sitting on our doorsill; 

He hopped right out there under a tree 
As though he thought Pd like to see. 

He ate some flies and Tore you'd s'pose 
Gave a jerk and pulled off some clothes, 
Rolled them up in a hard ball, tight; 
Gave one gulp; they were out of sight. 

I laughed to see him swallow them till 
I rolled right off of our doorsill. 


18 


ADMIRATION 


A haughty little, naughty little, saucy little girl, 

With a ribbon on her bonnet and her hair in a 
nice curl, 

Stood still gazing one fine morning into the 
looking-glass 

And her mother chanced to see her, as she hap- 
pened to go past: 

She said, with fine scorn in her voice, a frown 
upon her brow, 

“Well, you must think you are pretty, the way 
you're gazing now.” 

Small maid looked o'er her shoulder, with a little 
grin to suit, 

“No, me don't think me is pretty, but me thinks 
me's pretty cute.” 


19 


THE ECHO 


Tommy did not understand 
Where echoes could come from, 
When 'twas carefully explained 
He thought that he'd try some. 

It turned out very pleasing — 

There was a nearby hill — 

The echo came back strongly 
When he called, “Bill, Bill, Bill.” 

His little dog came running, 
Thinking he wanted him, 

But laddie did not see him, 

His eyes were set and dim. 

The echo of his own voice 
Gave him such keen delight 
That he just stood there calling 
From morning until night. 

I think if you are passing 
That you will find him still 
Standing there by the garden 
And calling, “Bill, Bill, Bill.” 


20 


THE ZOO 

Of all funny places I think the Zoo 
The funniest one to visit, don't you? 

The camels with trunks, the bears with long tails, 
The lions they say that eat real live whales; 

The parrots that walk on their heads and spin, 
The zebra they say that does nothing but grin; 
The monkeys that crow, the elephants small, 

The apes that sit and do nothing at all. 

Of all funny places I think the Zoo 
The funniest one that you can go to. 


21 


DISCONSOLATE 

What's the use o' standin' wishin' 
If you cannot go a-fishin'? 

What's the use to be a boy 
If you can't have any joy? 

Daddy says, "Hoe all you can; 
Hoe that garden like a man." 
Hoein’s not so very pleasin' 

When the worms all come a-teasin' 
Here I stand a-wishin', wishin', 
And I just can't go a-fishin'. 


22 


DAWN 


When I got up this morning 
It still was dark, dark night; 
When I looked from the window 
The stars were twinkling bright; 
But after while the big sun 
Arose for a new day 
And all the pretty wee stars 
Got scared and ran away. 


23 


BOOTS 

Wiggly, wobbly, flippery flop; 

Not my boots, they belong to Pop. 
I put them on for fun to see 
How 'twould feel to be big as he. 
Wiggly, wobbly, flippery flop! 

I do not want feet big as Pop, 


24 


CRY-BABY 


The boys are alius teasin' me, 

I think it's mean as it can be; 

To-day they tossed my cap away, 

As I turned 'round I heard 'em say: 
“Now, run for it, you little kid," 

And I stood still and cried, I did. 

And Sis is big, she teases too, 

And does things you don't think she'd do; 
She says, “Here comes our baby lad." 

I'm ten last Spring, it makes me mad 
The way she says it. My, oh my! 

Why it just makes me cry and cry.. 

An' teacher said in school to-day, 

“Miss five words and you've got to stay." 
Yes, she did, and I missed eleven — 

Made me stay 'way on to seven. 

I couldn't study if I tried, 

'Cause I sat there and cried and cried. 


25 


COMMENTS 


Oh, just see that big bird! Now isn't he queer 
With his feathers on all upside down? 

His color is funny, his eyes are aslant, 

He reminds me quite much of a clown. 

I wish he would open his mouth and sing some 
Till I listen if that is queer too. 

If I was as funny for being a girl 
I wonder just what I should do? 

I heard what you said, little girl, little girl, 

For your tones were quite distinct and clear, 

And you know no one likes — not even a bird — 
So especially well to be “ queer"; 

And as for my colors, they suit me, I hope, 

But perhaps you just said it to tease; 

My nice feather boa is down-side to you, 

But I wear it that way, if you please. 


26 


SPRING 


All the pretty flowers of Spring, 

What a happiness they bring; 

Seem to speak right from above, 
Saying, “ Children, 'God is love'.” 

See the merry daffodils 
Gaily nodding from the hills. 

Violets blue and May-flowers fair, 
Springing up 'most anywhere. 

Oh, how welcome is the breeze 
From the blossoming apple trees. 
Earth is sweet with rich perfume 
When the spring flowers are in bloom. 


27 


HELPS 


I have a busy little nose 
That goes about with me 
And can always smell the goodies 
We're going to have for tea. 

I have a hungry little mouth 
That always likes to be 
Near where all these goodies are 
Before it's time for tea. 

I have two merry little eyes 
That seldom fail to see 
Where cakes and puddings have been hid 
Away for company. 

I have two active little hands 
That help me day by day 
To reach the shelf where these things are 
Most carefully put away. 


28 


NUMBERS 

Numbers are such funny things, 
Seems to me I'll never learn; 

First I think I understand, 

Then they take another turn. 

Two and two, I thought, made four — 
Teacher set it down to do; 

I said “Four” and someone laughed, 
“Little Goose, it's twenty-two.” 


29 


MARCH 

With a whiff and puff, a breeze and a blow, 

Hold tight to your hat or off it will go, 

I needn't tell you, for I'm sure you know — 

That's March. 

With a smile and sigh, a laugh and a frown, 

He tears through the land and races through town, 
Then like a madcap he whirls up and down — 

Just March. 

The robins and larks and bluebirds are here 
And though he may storm the skies will soon clear. 
A blustery chap, but we love you, old dear — 

Our March. 


30 


DINING 


Father and I dined at a hotel, 

A jolly nice treat to do so, 

It makes you feel quite pleasant and large 
And rather important, you know. 

One funny thing about it to me, 

Of course, though, I only heard part, 
Was the waiter man whispering to Pa, 
“We have our meals on the cart.” 

But we sat at the table and ate, 

Although I expected to see 
A pretty cart appear from somewhere 
With dinner for Father and me. 


31 


TWO VIEWS 


I've two ears and I am glad, 
Sometimes, too, they make me sad. 

Glad when I hear Daddy say: 
"Want to go with me to-day? 

In the country, way, way far 
We'll go in the big, new car." 

My face shines 'most like the sun 
'Cause I know 'twill be such fun: 
Gee, I'm glad! 

Sad when I hear Mother say: 

"I want Benny for the day; 

Now that school is out, you see, 
He'll be lots of help to me; 
Flowers to weed and peas to hull, 
Not a moment will be dull." 

My frown's black as it can be, 
But Mother doesn't seem to see: 
Gee, I'm sad! 


32 


THE FRIGHT 


You know old Peter Rabbit, 

But did you ever hear 
Of his Mother's cousin's aunt 
They all call Hanaclear? 

The awful thing that happened, 

She went to bed one night 
And almost lost her nice ears, 

It gave her such a fright. 

For a great big Oh, my, Oh, 

I'm 'most afraid to say, 

It makes the shivery chills run 
Up my spine this summer day. 

Now don't you think 'twas dreadful? 

'Twould give you, too, a scare, 

If you should see that awful thing 
Just calmly sitting there. 


33 


CRICKET 

A cricket sat under the little brown gate 
Singing, “Crickety, crickety, crick,” 
When a tiny green fly that was passing by 
Said, “Sing, Wickety, wickety, wick; 

For you'll gobble us up, you know you will, 
And that is the reason we never are still, 
For you're not satisfied with us until 
You go Lickety, lickety, lick.” 


34 


THE LITTLE SPRUCE TREE 


Oh, it may rain or it may snow, 

Sun may shine or wind may blow, 

It matters not at all to me, 

For Pm no child, but a spruce tree. 

The birds will come and rest in me, 
And pleasant sights I often see; 
Winter they love my berries small, 

I give food and a feast to all. 

I watch the sun come with its light 
And the tired moon sink out of sight, 
But though these things are joy to me 
I'll get cut for a Christmas tree. 


35 


PILLS AND BILLS 

Dr. Brown said, “Now, Tommy, stick out your 
tongue 

And see if I give you a nice sugar-plum.” 

And he did? No, sir, he gave pills I despise, 

Big pink ones, small black ones, and white middle 
size. 

The funniest thing, though he gives me the pills. 
He never forgets to send Daddy the bills. 


36 


LESSONS 


I'm slow at my geography 
And at my history too, 

I don’t get on with ’rithmetic,. 
Whatever shall I do? 

My language, it is out of sight, 
I cannot spell at all, 

The only thing I do real well 
Is make a good spit-ball. 

And my reading is no better 
Than any child of seven. 

I think I’ll go to sleep and stay 
Till I am sixty-’leven. 


37 


NIGHT THOUGHTS 


I made up the loveliest poem 
While I was awake last night, 

All about roses and posies 
And beautiful bright starlight; 

But when I awoke this morning — 

I know it seems most absurd — 
For, try as hard as I would try, 

I couldn't find one matching word. 
I cannot quite understand it, 

I think such grand things at night, 
But they fly off in the morning 
With the first glimmer of light. 


38 


WILLIAM'S PREFERENCE 


The lark that sings in the morning 
Is always so good to hear; 

The tiny wren that hops about 
I think is a little dear; 

The woodthrush and the turtledove 
I hear them singing still, 

But one bird's song I do not like, 

The one that says, “Whip poor Will.” 

I'm always afraid that Father 
Or perhaps Mother might hear; 

He says it so very plainly 
Whether he's far or near; 

Might remind them of a duty 
They had not performed that day 

And I'd go to bed with sore spots, 
Which is an unpleasant way. 


39 


NOBODY 


Nobody came to Nobody's house, 

And knocked at Nobody's door; 

Nobody came to answer the knock, 

So Nobody knocked some more. 

Nobody called from Nobody's house, 
“Who may be knocking there?" 

Nobody said toward Nobody's house, 
“Come out, for the day is fair." 

Nobody spoke from Nobody's house, 
“I'm not coming out, you know, 

The day may be bright and may be fair, 
I'm sure it soon will snow." 

Nobody ran from Nobody's house 
As fast as Nobody can; 

Nobody knows who Nobody was, 

Or will, or ever can. 


40 


THOUGHTS IN JULY 

I love to pick the flowers, don’t you? 
The crocuses and violets blue? 

But I’ve found out and I’ll tell you, 
Be careful where they’re at; 

For I picked some one other day, 
’Twas half in earnest, half in play — 
(That slap I feel, tho’ it was May) — 
From off my Mommie’s hat. 


41 


SPRING THOUGHTS 


I had to write, to-day in school, an essay upon 
Spring. 

I couldn't find one word to write or think of 
anything 

Till a perky little robin sitting out on a tree 

Looked right in through the window and winked 
his eye at me. 

And he swelled up his little throat and then 
began to sing 

About the merry April showers, and the May 
flowers they bring. 

And then I told to teacher every word that he 
did say, 

And she said it was the bestest essay written 
there to-day. 


42 


MISQUOTED 

“I have two hands so soft and white — ” 
But Mother says that isn't right, 

That mine are always black or brown, 

The dirtiest hands that are in town, 

That one whole cake of soap each night 
Would not make my hands soft and white. 


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